Francesco Guardi Venice 1712 - 1793

This is a late work by Guardi, probably dating from after 1780. Similar small scale scenes, which allowed him to explore the contrasts of the cool shadows with the bright sunlit spaces beyond, were painted by Guardi throughout the latter half of his career. They are composed of both imaginary and actual architectural details, the latter more often than not being drawn from the courtyards and loggie in and around the Palazzo Ducale. A good example of the latter is that now in the Wallace Collection, London (see J. Ingamells, The Wallace Collection. Catalogue of Pictures, vol. I, London 1985, pp. 298-99, no. P647, reproduced).

A related drawing in black chalk and brown ink and wash (see fig.1) was formerly in the collection of Pierre Decourcelles and sold Paris, Christie's, 21 March 2002, lot 312 (reproduced in A. Morassi, Guardi, I Disegni, Milan 1973, no. 542, fig. 534). A further related drawing, of somewhat larger format, was sold London, Christie's, 4 July 2000, lot 48 (Morassi, op. cit., no. 543) and others of similar architectural design, but without figures, are in the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, and the Museo Correr, Venice (ibid., nos. 544-45). Morassi speculated that in his choice of subject Guardi may have been influenced by the paintings and engravings of architectural and theatrical subjects of the contemporary Bolognese painter Antonio Galli-Bibiena.